But yesterday, the shares of the heavyweight sector advanced 2.05 percent. Of the listed 30 banks, 26 gained, one declined and three remained unchanged.

“The shares of the banks have become lucrative following their huge falls in recent months,” said Mohammed Rahmat Pasha, managing director of UCB Capital Management. He said some of the banks posted good profit in the second quarter, leading investors to channel some of their money into the banking stocks.

Subsequently, the DSEX, the benchmark index of the premier bourse, rose 45.56 points, or 0.85 percent, finishing the day at 5,348.20.

Turnover, another important indicator of the market, jumped up 1.1 percent to Tk 740.62 crore, with 21.08 crore shares and mutual fund units changing hands.